Coplay Legion reunion at Coca-Cola Park was neat trip to the past

Enjoyed my hour-plus hanging in the Butz Construction suite tonight at Coca-Cola Park talking to a bunch of former players from Coplay Legion's state championship teams from 1959 and 1960.

In an act of full disclosure, my grandfather, the late Frank Groller, was from Coplay. He loved Coplay legion teams and when I was a young boy growing up on Allentown's East Side he'd take me 2-3 times per summer up to Balliet Stadium just to see Coplay play. He wanted to teach me the game of baseball and there was no better way to learn in his eyes than watching Sammy Balliet's teams play.

So, it was great to talk with some of the guys I had heard about from my grandfather. Since I was born in 1961, I never saw any of these guys play, at least not for Coplay.

But it was still a treat to hear their stories about how the game's fundamentals were instilled in them by Balliet, day in and day out. They practiced every day. And when practice was over, they worked on the field. As pointed out in my colum in the paper, I can't imagine kids today wanting to do that.

Billy Heller, whose father was Balliet's assistant, talked about some of the defensive things they did.

"On a Texas Leaguer that chased the shortstop and second baseman into the outfield, the first baseman would hustle over to cover second so that the runner would stay at first," Heller said. "And then sometimes when a runner would take too much of a turn around first on a hit, the catcher would hustle down the line and sneak in behind him and they'd pick him off."

There was a lot of talk about bunting. Balliet and bunting went together like hot dogs and buns.

One thing I learned is that guys playing for Coplay legion came from different towns. I honestly always thought most of the guys were from Coplay. I knew legendary Coplay pitcher Curt Simmons (he's the guy who got my family and me rooting for the Cardinals when I was just a tot) was from Egypt. But the guys were from Northampton, Orefield, New Tripoli etc. As long as a town didn't have a team and the total population of all of the communities put together didn't exceed 40,000, you could play for a certain team.

It was all within the rules in those days.

Balliet had a keen eye for talent, and knew how to find it. I am told he started checking out kids as early as age 12 and 13. Once he got them, he worked them into an efficient machine.

My grandfather, who is buried in the same Coplay cemetery as Balliet -- not too far from the stadium -- was one who marveled at Sammy's every move. My grandparents, I am told, would follow the team across the state to see them in the big games.

It was just a pleasure to meet so many of these guys tonight and let them relive their playing days.

I wish I could write a book on them all. They all seem to have interesting stories to tell both about their playing days and their lives since. You could tell just by talking with them that they were not just good ballplayers, but good people as well.

I kind of wish they had gotten a chance to take a bow on the field because I really believe they are part of the rich tradition of Lehigh Valley baseball; a tradition that assists the IronPigs in their vast popularity to this day.

I am glad IronPigs promotions and entertainment director Lindsey Knupp at least got them on the big screen after the third inning.

Current Comments

Keith, a very heartfelt thank-you for your time and attention to our reunion. Your newspaper article was eloquent. Your dedication to keeping local sports prominent in the "Call" is one of the few reasons I remain a subscriber. Nice "political touch" with the IronPigs, you are a gifted reporter. Thanks again.

Posted By: Bart Friebolin | Sep 4, 2009 7:57:13 AM

Keith, Thanks for giving our baseball championship teams a well deserved great write up and pat on the back. Everyone was impressed that you took time to listen to each players version of baseball life under Sammie. You were so right when you said our individual player goals were not important and that only the team mattered. The feat these teams accomplished is even more extraordinary when you consider it hasn't been repeated in the local area since 1960. Also a special thanks to Lee Butz for donating his luxury box to help the team celebrate and remember their Golden Years. Thanks Keith for helping us remember a very special time in our lives.

Posted By: Emery Roman | Sep 5, 2009 7:43:52 PM

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